42.1101
General
Production surveillance ensures the Government proactively monitors contractor progress to prevent delays and ensure contract compliance.
Overview
FAR 42.1101 establishes the general principles of production surveillance as a key contract administration function. Production surveillance is the process by which the Government monitors contractor progress and identifies potential delays in contract performance. This involves a thorough review and analysis of the contractor’s performance plans, schedules, controls, industrial processes, and actual performance against these benchmarks. The goal is to ensure timely delivery and compliance with contract requirements by proactively identifying and addressing issues that could impact performance.
Key Rules
- Production Surveillance Defined
- Production surveillance is used to assess contractor progress and detect factors that may delay contract performance.
- Scope of Surveillance
- Surveillance includes reviewing contractor plans, schedules, controls, industrial processes, and actual performance.
Responsibilities
- Contracting Officers: Must ensure appropriate production surveillance is conducted to monitor contractor progress and performance.
- Contractors: Should maintain accurate and up-to-date performance plans, schedules, and controls, and be prepared for Government review.
- Agencies: Responsible for establishing procedures and resources for effective production surveillance.
Practical Implications
- This section exists to ensure that contract performance issues are identified early, allowing for corrective action before delays occur.
- It impacts daily contract administration by requiring both Government and contractors to maintain transparency and documentation of performance.
- Common pitfalls include inadequate documentation, lack of timely updates to schedules, and insufficient communication between contractors and Government personnel.